Open Thread #53
Wazzup?
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NOTE: The views expressed in original posts on "Grand Forks Life" are merely the views and personal opinions of the owner of this blog. No guarantee is given for the accuracy of content. The views expressed in reader comments are the views of those readers. "GrandForksGuy" and "Grand Forks Life" do not endorse the views of readers.
193 comments:
Does anyone else believe it is a conflict of interest for Grand Forks City council member Bob Brooks to also be employed as the city administrator for East Grand Forks? Back when Bob took the EGF job he announced he would be resigning his GF city council job. He has yet to do so. How can he be impartial on issues such as GF taking EGF garbage or waste water? As as GF city council member he would be involved in discussions such as how much to charge for this service. In turn he would drive across the river and advise the EGF council what action to take on the same matter. What sense does this make?
How does UND football expect to survive in D1 when they get their butts handed to them on a yearly basis by Grand Valley State,a D2 school?
How can a Native American talking head call the recent vote by the Standing Rock Tribal Council a "definitive" answer to the Fighting Sioux question when something like 8 of the members were not at the meeting and two of those that were there abstained from voting? Get the entire council together and let that majority vote to denounce the name and I'll consider that a "definitive" vote.
Is anyone else noticing all the increased Canadian vehicle traffic because of their increased shopping trips? A little humor in this for me is the number of "The Club" anti theft devices attached to steering wheel's of Canadian vehicles. Perhaps we need to work on our public image if they think their cars are going to get jacked while parked at Wal-Mart.
YES THE CLUB. I took a picture of this in the summer.
http://www.convectionconnection.com/club.jpg
Note to Canadians: no one wants to steal your neon. I hadn't seen a club in who knows how long.
Then again, maybe they are afraid in their country: www.baitcar.com
I thought I was the only one that noticed THE CLUB! Makes me chuckle everytime
Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets a giggle out of the club. As to more and more Canadians, I guess it makes sense since our prices are cheaper here and their dollar is now stronger.
anon@12:52am
Since when does losing by a TD constitute "getting their butts handed to them."
Granted, GVSU has been ending our playoff hopes for a few years now, but they also win the D2 championship every year, so if we only lose to the D2 champs by a touchdown, what does that say about UND? UND can make it in I-AA, I just don't know what they're going to do about the Alerus, I'm pretty sure one of the requirements for going I-AA is a higher capacity stadium....we can't even fill the Alerus much less a larger stadium.
The Alerus has the capacity for I-AA, however not I-A. UND has plenty of time to find a benefactor to build them a new stadium, or upgrade the existing one.
Yes, I think it's Bob Brooks' dual positions pose a conflict of interest and am surprised that no one seems to have contested his status in one city or the other. He seems to be a dedicated civil servant, but that's not the point. Just who does he represent? Who should be raising the issue to the authorities and which authorities would be responsible to do something about it?
Haha! I saw 4 clubs on Manitoba cars this weekend. 3 out of the 4 cars wouldn't have been worth stealing. Silly Canadians..don't they know we're nice folk here? We'll just break into your car and steal your stuff- we won't actually steal the whole thing! haha.
On a side note- as an undergrad paying for his education with a semi-crappy foodservice job...I'm really, really sick of Canadians and would like to take this oppotunity to remind any Canadians reading this that, if it isn't on the menu, we don't have any ginger ale or chocolate milk, we don't take your Canadian debit cards (no, not if you insist it will work with "one more swipe," even after I told you in the first place you need a card suppored by Visa.), if you want ketchup put on it, be a little less lazy and do it yourself at the condiment stand (don't ask me to do it, I can't/won't), and last- please pick up your table. I realize up north they clean up for you, but down here just please use the garbage can and refrain from gathering up your garbage and leaving it on the table, or worse, under the table next to the wall. Thank you. I know I probably sound like I'm complaining about alot of little stuff, but alot of little stuff 20+ times daily really leaves a bad taste in your mouth.
Is xmas over yet?
Has Brooks made any votes that you feel are against your interests but in the interest of EGF? Which ones?
Most elected officials at the local level must balance their own private and personal interests. Just because the private interest in this case is another city doesn't mean it's causing Brooks to make ethically questionable decisions.
EGF is not your enemy. Where were you when Brooks was reelected while working for the City of Warren, MN?
Anonymous at 12:13pm-
I am the orignal poster. I agree with you about Warren, MN. I had forgotten about that conflict as well. I am not implying EGF is an enemy at all. I would disagree with you in regards to balancing public and private interests because the City of EGF is not a private interest, it is a incorperated city and it may not have happened yet but eventually something will come up that will pose a conflict. He may do the right thing and abstain from any vote as a GF council member but what good does that do when he has the knowledge he can take to EGF? It would take a better man than me to use the discipline it would take to not play both sides against the middle in those issues.
I saw about a Canadian rusted out 1985 jeep Cherokee with a club on it and had to laugh.
1) Although I laugh at seeing the Club on cars around here as well, putting it on is probably just force of habit. I don't know what the car theft rates in Winnipeg are, but they're probably a lot higher than here.
2) The Sioux being beaten over and over by Grand Valley might indicate that GVS would be better suited to D-1 as well, but prefers to rack up the championships year after year by staying D-2.
Has anything been sorted out about UND affiliating themselves with a conference (hopefully one that includes NDSU and South Dakota) yet?
I have no problem with Bob Brooks' dual rolls. At least he's above board with his business dealings. I can't say that about the rest of his co-horts on City Council.
If I remember correctly NDSU lost quite a few games to UND before NDSU went division 1.
I also recall something about division 2 cutting back on scholarships as being a reason to switch.
Also more scholar ships for Division 1 schools.
and more money when we host a tournament for hockey if we are Division 1 Across the board.
EGF has had policy that city employees have to live within EGF. I don't know if that has changed but I personally think a City Administrator ought to live in the city he "administers."
The car theft rates in Winnipeg are out of this world. it is a force of habit for those people coming to visit when they put the club on their cars.
And to anonymous who has the fast-food job: Quit complaining! You are getting paid to work there, right? I had a fast food job for 4years through college, and I found that all complaining does is keep you from enjoying your time at work. Just be glad that those people are your customers so you have some job security.
most of my family resides in winnipeg and several of them have had their cars stolen. therefore like the previous poster stated, it is not our image but just something they naturally do when at home.
Brooks is building a house in EGF and hopes to have it done in the spring, so he'll be moving then. He will then quit his city council job. He felt he wouldn't do his ward any favors by quitting earlier. I think that is true, but he's being unfair to the city that provides his paycheck.
I see GF once again has the crappy lamppost holiday ornaments up again....weren't they testing out some new ones last winter?
What ever happened to that project?
Downtown EGF looks so nice...I really think GF should pony up and invest in some nice new lights.
Please Bob Brooks resign one of the positions. It is a conflict of interest. Plain and simple.
I am sorry I agree with the poster about the Canadians being difficult. I work at a very bsy retail store and just about all of our employees are sick of the Canadians. It's great that they are shopping here but for the workers who have to put up with it well, it's getting very old! I have so many stories I don't even want to get into it.
Does anyone know when the River Cinema 12 opens it doors?
To anon at 1158 pm...
On the River Cinema marquee it says opening Dec 7th...This was as of last Friday 11/24.
dale
been hiding under a rock again?
Canadians drive shopping carts like they drive their cars... Watch out!!!
Anybody think GF has the most boring Christmas decorations on the city light posts? Not to mention, it is the same decoration on each one! What happened to the new ones that were put on street lights last year on Demers before reaching the bridge to downtown? Granted, the Downtown does look amazing, but most visitors drive on Washington, 32nd Ave., or Columbia.
Maybe I'm griping at something irrelevant, but that's the nice thing about this blog and a little variety in the decorations would be a nice improvement!
Ya... let's get some new LED Christmas light displays!
Dale, if I understand correctly, NDSU and SDSU currently compete in the Great West conference, but they will be leaving after this year to join the Gateway conference.
UND and USD will fill the vacancies that NDSU and SDSU will leave in the Great West Conference...which is kind of a bummer, so close to getting that rivalry rekindled. But oh well, that gives UND more time to beef up their program for when the rivalry finally does start up again.
Since it's a pretty much done deal UND will change it's logo, what new logo would you all suggest? An animal? A person? A crazy logo, like a JET?
A Jet would be pretty good for UND, but not while I'm a student. As a non-aviation student I get the feeling that we are around to amuse the aviation students.
Making the Jet the logo, while it fits, would increase the "UND only cares about aviation" aura it has sometimes.
How about some nickname related to ND's cold war past?
For example: The Minutemen, paying homage to the hundreds of active and retired ICBM Minuteman sites in the state.
Minutemen. A great suggestion. But how can we be sure someone associated with the ICBM's wouldn't be offended?
I mean...it's happened b/4.
I would prefer they kept the name Fighting Sioux. If we have to lose the name, I would prefer no logo - just the University of North Dakota. If we have to have a new logo how about Imperial Knights. It pays homage to UND's great benefactor Ralph E (owner of the Imperial Palace) and plays into the new marketing mantra "Force of the North" for those of you familiar with Star Wars.
Winnipeg used the Jets for their NHL team that got moved in 96, and the Fargo-Moorhead Jets currently compete in the NAHL... I would personally like to see something a little more unique.
I'll be glad once the nickname is finally changed so the topic can be put to rest.
I like the minute man idea.
or how about the something to do with Lake Agassi (sp), like Trilobites.
Or North Dakota Norse (with big Thor god icon)
Ever think how nice it used to be?
The country earned the respect of other nations
Service was expected - and most often, given - along with the sale
People worked without constantly complaining
No one got bent out of shape, whining about some issue like the proud logo of UND's, causing it to get so far bent out of perspective that most every basis for argument seems ridiculous
We've made a heckuva mess out of things.
I remember growing up in North Dakota, seeing the Indian heads on the highway signs, on the state patrol cars, feeling a sense of pride in the state. Associating the icons, if you will, with the native American history of the plains state. Never once did I think in negative terms of Indian warriors, and that includes when I'd see those native Americans who were less fortunate,who suffered from alcoholism and lined the sidewalks of Devils Lake, lacking another place to rest, I guess.
The same pride existed, and still exists, when I see the Sioux logos around UND.
I guess I just don't get it. It seems like small segments of society today invent ways to get attention.
An old argument, I know. Nothing new, here, and I apologize if I offend anyone. I just needed to share a thought.
dale
been hiding under a rock again?
Um... sure. If by "rock" you mean "a ton of work."
As a Winnipeger, we use the Club all the time so our vehicle does not get stolen. Force of habit when in Grand Forks. By the way, when I stayed at the Days Inn, my license plates were stolen. Maybe I need a Club for my plates. Is Grand Forks the stolen license plate capital?
Imperial Knights?? Imperialism is what Engelstad was all about and a major reason why he didn't understand what it really means to respect American Indians. Imperial Knights brings to mind another hooded band: the Ku Klux Klan. I would prefer a non-human logo/mascot but appreciated the suggestions in this weekend's Herald, human or otherwise.
Part of me would like to see something that rhymes with "Sioux" to preserve most of the cheers used at sporting events...but not too many names rhyme with that... Then again maybe it would be best to just start with something completely fresh, new colors and everything....What better time than our transition to D-1? Sure it's the end of the tradition, but it's also the start of a new one. If people would realize that instead of complaining about keeping "Fighting Sioux", this could wind up being a great experience for the entire city and college.
If we have to change....I like the idea of going with a name that identifies with where we live. I don't think choosing a human image captures the diversity at the university. However, we all have to endure the cold while we are here. Here's to "The Force" of the North or maybe "The Freeze". OK - I'm done now, I'll leave the creative thinking to the creative people. As a soon to be graduate, I must admit I'm glad the change will occur after I'm gone.
UND-Wheatkings
UND- Beet tailings (folks would understand the smell)
UND-spuds
UND-silo's (grain and missle)
UND-sodbusters
UND-vikings (currently a name not being used to it's fullest)
UND-fighting Norske
UND- Force of the Norske
UND-Roughriders
UND-Floodrunners
UND- PON (parking office nazi's)
"I like the minute man idea.
or how about the something to do with Lake Agassi (sp), like Trilobites.
Or North Dakota Norse (with big Thor god icon)"
I also think the Minutemen would be a way-cool nickname--kudos to whoever came up with that one! We'd be the only state West of the 13 colonies that would be called that for sure!
Just an aside, trilobites went extinct at the end of the Permian (~251 million years ago). If we want something associated with Lake Agassiz, we'd need something from 12ish thousand years ago. Maybe the Woolly Mammoths? Probably not the Giant Ground Sloths, huh? :-D
-------
Campus Dakota - Big changes, big changes coming.
If UND must give up the Sioux nickname then the Indian tribes must also give up something. UND has a tuition waiver program for the Native Americans, I say UND threatens to give that up and follow through with it if the nickname goes away.
Two things:
1) I heard the former owners of Mama Maria's are opening a new Italian restaurant downtown across from the Empire.
2) I don't think the opposition to the Sioux nickname realizes that the minute the nickname is taken away is the minute that you will see MORE Sioux logos, chants, shirts, etc. around town and especially at football and hockey games than you do now. I'm quite sure the student sections alone, not to mention other die-hard Sioux fans/supporters, would go crazy buying up every Sioux item they can get their hands on and yelling for the SIOUX (not for a new mascot) the entire game.
I was thinking about the whole nickname issue this morning, and I think that "Force of the North" isn't such a bad name. I design logos, and I decided to make one for the "Force" name.
I won't lie, my design was influenced by a Houston hockey team logo I once saw. I made it different enough to be similar, but not same. I figured that since UND is an aerospace school, the new logo should have an aeronautic theme perhaps.
Here's the link:
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n128/nineandnumb/Forcelogo.jpg
Tell me what you think. I think something like this could work.
Hey, does Grand Forks Life have a channel on YouTube??? Since I get most of my news here than from the Herald, how about a YouTube video log? Please?
Great looking logo, I just think it looks to "military". The plane doesn't cut it for me.
You miss a lot of news, then. Oh well.
You know? I hadn't looked at it that way until you mentioned it, but you might be right. With the green and black, it does look a little too military for a school mascot.
Oh well, as they say, "back to the drawing board"! Maybe a stylized lightning bolt instead?
Kelly,
Nice to see a visual to another logo. I am not fond of the force but would purchase clothing with it if it was chosen.
I also agree that the plane was not right.
Thanks for putting a great looking idea together.
Freeze!
Don't like the name.
Logo, not bad.
Kelly, do you moonlight?
I could use a logo for an entity. It should be an easy job.
Go!
Anonymous at 4:05PM,
I actually create logos as just a hobby, and for my comedy company when the need arises. What did you have in mind? I'm sure I could put something together for you. You can email me at info@nineandnumb.com.
No reply to my improv references?
I thought I was being so clever.
Ahhh.... "Freeze and Go"! :)
My brain's on autopilot today. I've been Christmas shopping at, like, four different malls and I've pretty much lost my will to think independently.
Wow!
Kelly, that logo is freakin' awesome!
I like it the it includes aviaiton, the Air Force Base, and UND colors. Plus, it's badass.
I think the logo should include Jessica Dugan's legs somehow...LOL!
Just kidding. Sort of. It would be cool.
One-percent increase in sales tax to pay for the county jail fiasco?
It's bad enough the city's citizens have to pay for it, but to inflict the problem on GFK's neighbors?
Did Grand Forks actually have this caliber type musical talent resident at UND?
From the Seattle PI music critic:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/classical/341469_chiara29q.html
The Chiara String Quartet is composed of young American musicians who are vastly talented, vastly resourceful and vastly committed to music of their time. As such its Seattle debut Tuesday night on the UW World Series at Meany Hall was riveting.
After graduating from the Juilliard School, the ensemble went to Grand Forks, N.D., for a residency on a grant from Chamber Music America. Violinists Rebecca Fisher and Julie Yoon, violist Jonah Sirota and cellist Gregory Beaver not only honed their art to the fine degree but refined their skills at communicating with all sorts of audiences. They are now in residence at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and will start, in a year, as Blodgett Artists-in-Residence at Harvard.
The quartet is determined to spread the gospel of classical music anywhere it can, so it has taken to clubs and galleries, not to mention schools, to perform. The night after its Meany concert, the Chiara appeared at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard.
Yes, Chiara played all over town while they were here. GF has a fairly decent local/community arts scene... it's a lot more active than many people realize, anyway.
I blog on the weekly live music activity. The weekly update will be up tomorrow.
Go Minutemen? Can't see it. Clumsy and we women will be offended... I like the North Stars-I think Virg Foss at the Herald mentioned it recently in an article and that it would tie into the Force of the North. Shouldn't offend anybody and logos and cheers would be pretty easy to develop.
My problem with the Force of the North is that it was created by whatever marketing team UND employs, not actual UND student members or faculty. This would be like Macca's changing their name to "I'm Lovin' It.'
I still think the Minutemen would be rather unique.
How about the Freddie Mercurys!
Beautiful, darling!
Didn't Minnesota have a team called the North Stars? How about the "Northern Lights"? OK now that I typed it, it looks odd.
I heart Level 10!
I heart Level 10!
That's the most hideous logo I've ever seen. We'd have to change the mascot name to the Air Force of the North.
GF has a fairly decent local/community arts scene?
If you're over 50 maybe. Just like everything else in town, it's oriented toward college kids or seniors. What about the rest of us?
Whiners. The whole lot of ye!
Geesh.
Where's that Christmas spirit, people?
C'mon.
Anon @ 1:12
I hear you. I'm almost 30 and I'm an anomaly in this town: there aren't a lot of guys and gals my age being active in the arts. It seems that once most artisans hit 24-25, they get bitten by the bug to get the hell out of here.
That may explain in part the gap you speak of.
The other side of that is, and I think this applies anywhere you live, that most 30-45 year olds are too busy working and raising kids and whatnot to be regular attendees of an artistic scene. This means bar/club owners won't rely on that demographic to provide their income and will instead cater to those who are regular (21-25) or rich (50+).
These are just my observations, but it's not exclusive to Grand Forks. That said, there is stuff going on - it may not be as culturally diverse of a selection here, but the arts exist.
The post two above this one has a point: Grand Forks is not as friendly to young families as they are to the college crowd and seniors.
Case in point: When I was in Denver last month, I went to a shopping mall. Outside the main entrances, there were a few handicapped spots, and then reserved spots FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN STROLLERS. It's not easy running a stroller across the wind swept Target parking lot.
Last month, Meritcare in Fargo posted the largest number of monthly births since the 650's. From where I stand, there's a little baby boom going on. I think the time is right to recognize it.
I like everything about your logo Kelly except for the plane. Being a recent grad from und with a NON-aviation degree I feel it ,like someone said earlier, "would increase the "UND only cares about aviation" aura it has sometimes." If this was a logo for the aviation school I would say WAY TO GO!!! but for UND we have more to offer then just planes... other then that your logo is awesome (except for the fact that I don’t want to see the name changed ... but that is besides the point :)
Kelly, that's a really cool logo, I like it a lot... Never was really on board for using the nickname "Force" but if we had to, that would be a great logo.
Hopefully soon there will be something set up where people can submit their own logo/nickname ideas and everyone can view them publicly...This is a pretty exciting time for UND, Division 1, new logo, new president, etc.
I should say, in all honesty, that I'm a full supporter of the Fighting Sioux nickname and I am also not a big fan of the "Force" as a replacement name.
That being said, I made the logo as a way to show that if the unfortunate happens, it will not be the end of the world. I have a number of ideas for new monikers like the Prairie Hawks, the Norsemen, the Phantoms (imagine Sports Illustrated referring to the Ralph or the Alerus Center as "The Haunting Grounds"!)
I had even come up with an initial logo for the UND "Northern Storm" complete with a tornado icon, but in light of Northwood I figured that would be a little... you know.
Anyway, I'll keep rooting for the Sioux, but I'll also be looking for new ways to express my pride and loyalty to old North Dakota. I know that for the rest of my life, no matter what happens, when the national anthem winds down, I'll be yelling "SIOUX!!" in my head during the "Home of the brave" ending.
P.S. to the person that said that "That's the most hideous logo" they've ever seen. I submit that, indeed, THIS is the most hideous logo you've ever seen!
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n128/nineandnumb/forcelogofun.jpg
Heh, Heh.... ;)
Kelly,
A new keyboard.
You owe me one.
The only solution to the Fighting Sioux nickname issue:
Change it to the "Fighting Sue" and our mascot will be a little red-haired girl wearing a girl scout outfit selling cookies....now who can be offended by that? And the best part of it is people can still chant "Go Sioux" without being called racist.
"Fighting Sue" would obviously be offensive to the Sioux. It would be like thumbing your nose at the tribe and everyone who has been pointing out the racism inherent in American Indian logos. Don't you get it?
Great concert last night ! Gretchen Wilson was at Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen. Full house and the place was rockin'. Most tickets were sold out the first day.She closed the show with "Redneck Woman" and the place went wild. She is a Country Superstar. greenglass4.
"Fighting Sue" would obviously be offensive to the Sioux. It would be like thumbing your nose at the tribe and everyone who has been pointing out the racism inherent in American Indian logos. Don't you get it?"
And you think the Sioux name will disappear if the nickname is changed? You think the last word of the national anthem will not still be "Sioux"? just because the nickname changes?
Right now the University has some control over the use of logo, at least it is licensed if it is to be used on items. If the nickname is changed there will no longer be control over the logo will there? I'm guessing you will see more of the logo than ever before. Just wait until the first hockey game after the change. Tons more logo sweatshirts and jerseys will be seen. No more lecture about the nickname before the game because the new nickname wont' affect the natives, correct?
Changing the nickname will bring tons of respect to Native Americans and the world will be a better place just because of it. //sarcasm--mode "off"//
Don't you get it?
I think the new logo/mascot would have to steer clear of ANY type of cultural/heritage ties, such as the Norse, etc. I was talking to an aunt about the logo debate (she's an alum), and I was opining that the name's got to go because as a prof once pointed out to me, it's offensive to the group of people it's depicting. It's not offensive to me, the white born-and-raised Norwegian girl, but if it's offensive to members of the Sioux community (or offense arises from actions of UND/students/etc.), then people like me aren't the ones to decide whether or not it is offensive. It's a bad example maybe, but I think it's true that if Norse were used, area people who connect to that image run the same risk of feeling offended.
Note to Kelly, as a Northwood native, thanks for the tact in cutting out the storm idea. Still, by the time any logo decision is decided and implemented, I think the storm (ohhh, love puns) will have passed. PS, the Hatton-Northwood mascot is Thunder. Not too far anyway...
There's no reason for the Unversity to give up their rights to the logo we have now if it changes in the future. Although it would be in extremely bad taste, I can still see them selling just as much logo merchandise as they do now--but to the locals.
The students, on the other hand, will be something different. When this year's freshman class finally leaves (6 or 7 years from now), the name will be gone. In 14 years at the outside, no student will be attending this university who saw the Sioux play sports. Whatever the locals think about it, the reality is that the university has an effect on what the students identify themselves as, and this steamrolls over time to become campus tradition. In 15 years, locals who continue to yell "Sioux" at the end of the national anthem (which is highly disrespectful in its own right) will be laughed at.
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Campus Dakota - Serving students, not universities.
As a current UND student, I have had the opportunity to talk to several Native Americans regarding the current nick name and it always seems to amaze me the number that are in favor of keeping it or simply don't care.
With that said... I did talk to one student who said that people were being racist against her and she believes it is all because of the "Sioux" nickname. As an outsider I'm not seeing the connection here. Could someone please explain this to me? Because if you ask me, even if the name changes there will still be racism and stereotypes, won't there?
If anything won't offensive comments actually increase on campus if the name changes? Based on comments that I've already heard around campus based on just a pending name change, I'm guessing it will make it worse at least for a short period of time. I'm hoping that if the name changes we are all mature enough to accept it an move on, but I can't speak for others.
Maybe the best people to ask if it is offensive are the Native Americans who actually attend the school. All of them. Since they are the ones that will have to deal with the backlash if there is any.
Just my thoughts!
For the people that read this blog and do NOT go to UND can we please change the subject! Who really cares? You go to college for just a few years whatever the logo is will not change your life enough to cry over a logo change. Yes, I like the Sioux name/logo and think it should stay but I think you have beat the subject to death!
Anonymous @ 10:04---
I'll second that motion.
*s*
It's outta our hands, folks, anyway.
I also like this blog best when we're talking about other subjects, but I find some posts here so offensive that I can't let them go. I don't even bother with the GF Herald "comments" section on logo articles because the hatred and ignorance there is so overwhelming, but here it at least seems more manageable.
Yes, racist actions are likely to increase in the short term after the inevitable logo change. Those of us who value and protect human rights will have more work to do for a while, but then things will settle down to "normal" and I predict in the long run we'll see less racism at UND and in the community with the Fighting Sioux as a memory (and I have nothing against having cherished memories about athletic teams that have been so successful over the years).
So, what kind of "racist actions" do you believe are "likely to increase"?
And exactly what kind of "work" will you have to do after the removal of the nickname?
I'd bet there are a few here who'd like to hear that explanation.
I like nature-based nicknames/logos like the Miami Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, etc., etc. What about the University of North Dakota Blizzard?! The real 'force of the north' is blizzards. Picture (on a jersey, poster, etc.) a hockey player, for instance, emerging from a blizzard, snowflakes on his face, cold determination in his/her eyes, a black puck blasting though a white snowdrift… You could also create a blizzard effect, with fake snow, for players, in any sport, to run through when they enter an arena.
As for the Ralph, if UND changes its nickname and logo, why would they have to change anything else? It could still be the Home of the Fighting Sioux, a museum of UND sports history and tribute to its benefactor. The nickname and logos, since they would no longer be used by UND in association with its sports teams, would simply become decorations. Surely the NCAA, or anyone else, can't dictate how we decorate our facilities.
In this scenario, whatever the nickname, everyone wins!!!
The Herald's comment section is full of idiots, every time there's comments allowed on an article about the nickname, the comments shoot up in the hundreds in just a few hours, and it's the same closed-minded, racist crap everytime. I don't even try there anymore.
The real crime here is that this stupid court case cost $5 MILLION! That is absolutely ridiculous....I realize it's "donor money" but still, one has to think that $5 million could've been spent better elsewhere...especially when UND lost anyways.
And the same ones that say "I don't see why the Natives complain about the nickname" will probably be the same ones giving them dirty looks now when they see Natives in public. Let's move on, people.
Here's the "Blizzard" logo:
Nice, huh?
Just kidding!
So it's still snowing and I was running errands out battling the entire Manitoba population on 32nd Ave. I never understand why the city of Grand Forks thinks a couple of sanding trucks will clean up the couple inches of snow on 32nd Ave. A couple of brand new trucks with no plows attached at all. Just dumping sand on the snow. I don't get it.....
I know it's slippery, but why not plow AND sand at the same time?
Can someone enlighten me?
Hey designated driver-UND's portion paid was only about $900,000, so I'm guessing the majority of that the other $4 million was spent by the NCAA. I find it interesting that the NCAA wastes their time with certain things, but there are only 7 minority head coaches in Division 1-A out of around 119 schools. Pitiful. In addition, they can't get a playoff system figured out, but we have to deal with bs like certain names being hostile and abusive.
I was out at 8:30 pm and there is not one single street plowed! I am sure there has been many accidents tonight due to the lack of plowing.
Sometimes this city drives me crazy!
I put some poop in a small dish at eleven tonight, and when i went back, it was still sitting in my bed. It hadn't frozen. So, not sure what that means.
I would like to make a comment about the city workers and them not plowing the streets. I use to live in East Grand Forks and lived by someone who worked for the city and even though the streets were not plowed right away, they were eventually I know but he never failed to clean his driveway and then push the snow next to the neighbors and he didn't hesistate to push the snow in our driveway blocking it and making it difficult for us to plow/shovel there when he was cleaning the streets. I thought it was illegal to use city property for one's own personal use????
I think it's absurd that Grand Forks at least didn't plow the major streets. I went out at about 10 p.m and Columbia, Demers or Gateway wern't plowed....What a great start to this winter!
And when they have plowed in GF so far, they don't plow all the way to the surface of the street. Is this normal? I just moved here and would expect a place that gets regular snow to have better snow removal measures. And aren't you supposed to plow even during a snowstorm to clear the path for emergency vehicles? Guess I'll have to get those winter tires after all.
And when they have plowed in GF so far, they don't plow all the way to the surface of the street. Is this normal? I just moved here and would expect a place that gets regular snow to have better snow removal measures. And aren't you supposed to plow even during a snowstorm to clear the path for emergency vehicles? Guess I'll have to get those winter tires after all.
That's Grand Forks for you. I moved here about 2 years ago and it still amazes me that they don't plow as soon as there is some snow on the roads, and even when they do they pack it down to about an inch that turns to ice.
I'm almost positive the city has plows (real trucks, not graders) that are designated for the city (city being distinct from the county of Grand Forks). Why don't they use them? Is it a money issue? Is it lack of drivers? Is it some obscure reasoning like "we can't plow because people's cars will get buried"? If it's the money thing, I think we can definitely let go some of the city leaders so that we can pay to have some safe streets in the winter.
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Campus Dakota - Doing more than you are to make things better for North Dakota students ;-)
And when they have plowed in GF so far, they don't plow all the way to the surface of the street. Is this normal?
Yes it is. You can't really "plow to the surface" without damaging the road and/or plow, and so they rely on sand, the sun and traffic to wear off the last of it. Which works out well on major streets, less so on minor ones (mine stays snow covered for pretty much the whole winter.)
Not using salt on the streets has a major impact on how quickly the snow gets worn off, but it also keeps your car from turning to rust.
I'll fess up and admit I did my slide through an intersection dance around 1pm yesterday. I love how the intersections are 200x worse than the actual roadway. For those of you who wondered, it was the classic light turns yellow, do you stop or go decision. Oh wait, the lane is pure ice now... better just go with it.
To clarify the above, the tire marks were actually dry around 1pm.
There's a running joke (although more serious than originally intended) that according to the public works department and city of Grand Forks it doesn't snow outside the hours of 8-5PM Monday-Friday.
do you people realize what a traffic hazzard a snow plow is? and no, the city doesn't have trucks with blades, just they heavy caterpillar road graders and then trucks with sand. I also think it is absurd to let the intersections get as bad as they are and not plow earlier in the snow storm. I wonder if the conflict between cars and road graders is actually a larger danger than snow on the road, though?
"do you people realize what a traffic hazzard a snow plow is?"
So basically what your saying is that the plows shouldn't even touch any snow until the hours of 3-5am when no one is on the roads?! Just let the snow pile up the other 22 hours of the day? Meanwhile other traffic hazards are created by fender benders, and people getting stuck? Kinda curious on your reasoning on that one. I just don't understand why those sanding trucks can't be outfitted with a plow to kill two birds with one stone.
ben-
Check your facts before posting. The city has at least 2 plow trucks and about 5 to 6 graders. The plow trucks front blades have designs painted on them by students at Central and Red River High Schools. The trucks with plows are mainly used during daytime snow removal. The reason for this is it takes 2 people to operate the truck. One to drive and a second to operate the "wing" plow on the side of the truck. The second person is needed in a city enviornment because the wing blade needs to be raised around obstructions such as mailboxes, fire hydrants and anything else in the way that the driver couldn't see well enough. These trucks aren't used at night because you would be paying two employee's overtime instead of one. They get straight pay between 8 and 5. The graders are used at night because they do a much better job and their visability is better. The reason all the streets aren't plowed as soon as it snows is because if it keeps snowing they will just have to do it all over again within a few hours. This means increased labor and fuel costs. The snow emergency routes (main streets) are kept open in severe snow storms. This past weekend snow wasn't a severe storm. It was 4 to 5 inches which most vehicles are able to drive through. That is why the plows didn't come out until it was done snowing. The reason streets are not plowed to the pavement is exactally as another poster pointed out. It causes damage to a cement or asphalt street when a steel blade is scraped over it. If the blade grabes a crack in the roadway and pulls out a chunk of the roadway that now can't be repaired until spring.
Somebody mentioned salt. Salt is completely useless at our temps, as the melting point is not low enough. A salt brine would work, as would calcium chloride, but those are more expensive options.
Here's a decent article explaining:
http://www.usroads.com/journals/p/rmj/9712/rm971202.htm
No, most cars couldn't drive through the snow we got yesterday. There were a lot of stuck cars on side streets that people had to drive around. I understand not wanting to plow twice in one day but sometimes it is needed. How about at least once in a day. The street in front of my house was not plowed until 1 pm today. It was never touched yesterday. How about the city fire one of it's many secretaries and give the snow plow drivers some overtime.
Minnesota uses something salt based on their roads. North Dakota doesn't.
Yes, it does work on the roads up here. People in North Dakota do not want rusted cars so North Dakota does not use it.
I grew up in Northern Minnesota so I know Minnesota uses something salt based.
Thank anon for your detailed posting about snow plow ops here in GF.
Only in Grand Forks do we have plows where TWO people need to operate it. Seems like a waste of tax payer money there when he/she could be in another plow clearing the streets.
Wouldn't a large grader be more hard to manuver than a 'standard' snow plow in small streets and such? Also the blade of the grader is located in the middle whereas a plow it's up front so one would think it would be eaiser to push the snow where you want it to go. I guess I just don't get it....
Do u guys realize how hard it is to get people to come in on a saurday late at nite. shit most of the city workers i know were at the barr all day saturday. do u want drunken snow plow drivers? no
I should've been more specific. When I said "salt" I meant sodium chloride. Calcium chloride is a salt, as well, but a more expensive one.
Does anybody know if EGF/MN uses brine-making equipment?
It's been in the 80's for the last few weeks down here, and it's going to be in the 80's again tomorrow.
Just...thought...I'd say...that...
Here, I'll verbally assault myself for you: "Shut up you Florida @$$#*^&!!!"
Heh, heh, heh! :P
Maybe I'm some sort of magic being or something, but I didn't struggle on the streets at all this week or weekend. Maybe it was just good luck, but there didn't seem to be a problem on the streets; just needed to slow down a little bit.
You cannot tell me that emergency vehicles will not be slowed down significantly with the conditions we had on Saturday. I live near the fire station on Columbia and that main artery was an absolute mess the whole day. If every second is important in an emergency response, then road conditions like that could well make a difference between life and death.
And as for the graders clearing the streets - I have never seen anything so idiotic. In one motion a plow can move snow off the road, while these stupid things must constantly back up and move forward in the middle of the road in front of oncoming traffic. Now that is much more unsafe if you ask me.
I suggest that the street department go to any city in the northeast or lower midwest to get a real lesson in how to properly deal with snow on the roads. Communities in those areas don't seem to have half the problem keeping up with the white stuff.
I just hope that those people with all the great ideas who complain in this blog get to try their hand at the very jobs they beller about.
I can't wait.
I just hope that those people with all the great ideas who complain in this blog get to try their hand at the very jobs they beller about.
I can't wait.
whoever said they didn't struggle at all while driving on the frozen streets this past weekend is a liar, unless you were driving a snowmobile.
This is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard: The reason all the streets aren't plowed as soon as it snows is because if it keeps snowing they will just have to do it all over again within a few hours.
D'oh. This city should be on the cutting edge of snow removal. Instead it takes a back seat. Whether it's a "street Gamboni" to melt intersections or more advanced melting solutions, snow removal = quality of life. And if that means spending a little more, so be it.
I don't think any of us expect the city to plow ALL of the streets as soon as it starts snowing. Main arteries like Columbia, Demers, etc., however, should at least be kept up. All it would of taken was a pass around midday, and another in the early evening or so to keep them in a tolerable state.
I fully agree with the last two comments. And when it comes to quality of life and public safety, the city is very aggressive in combating West Nile virus in the summer. But after spending so much money on mosquito eradication, why then drop the ball in the winter when you have a busy university in session and a thriving retail scene that people want to take advantage of. Makes very little sense to me.
As a semi-truck driver I agree that the streets and intersections in GF were horrible, while in EGF they were clean. It is is a health and safety issue to keep the streets clean. Mayor Brown's street was cleaned first I bet ! Heads need to roll, so the next storm will be covered. greenglass4.
The Mayors street was cleaned before the snwo even started falling! In fact there were city employees over there for the duration of the storm to make sure that his driveway stayed snow free. They know which side of the bread has the butter.
big storm expected tuesday...prolly be cleaned up nice that nite since no one will be at the bar all day. hehe. drunken snowplowing at its best.
I know that 13 avenue, which is considered one of the main emergency roads was plowed. As for the other streets, Columbia seemed worse than I've seen before, but I personally didn't have much trouble with the white stuff. Not sure if it was the traction control, the AWD, or just the 30 plus years of dealing with inefficient plowing.
However I would suggest that for at least the winter months the yellow light should be a bitt longer.
Speaking of snow...supposed to get at least another 6 inches starting tonight and going through tomorrow...here we go again..
I love this debate.
It's either:
- Higher taxes and a city that can operate with more financial freedom, giving departments like the the street department the leeway to spend on plowing.
or
- Lower taxes and a city that runs on a tight budget, giving departments like the street department more restrictions on how they spend allocated money.
With the above average precipitation expected, way above average fuel price, and a tight budget, it appears the street department didn't want to blow its wad in the first snowfall.
Sat in line at Hugo's Saturday night and talked to two snow plow drivers for the city of Grand Forks. Couple of observations.
1) They were both sober. They had not spent all day in the bar. To suggest otherwise is simply bad form.
2) They were expecting a phone call Saturday. They were ready to go. Their manager said be ready to go at 5:00am Sunday morning.
I live in rural Grand Forks county (The plows have not been through here yet - but I don't expect them until March). If snow removal is a priority to you, then stop blogging and call your city council. Remind them that this is a priority in your mind. It's a service that you feel isn't being provided. The staff is ready to go, but somewhere along the line they were told they were not needed.
Anonymous @ 3:17
...finally...an intelligent comment in this blog.
I was about to give it up, entirely.
Golly, folks...it IS Christmas, or very nearly. Can't we find SOMETHING positive to share with my coffee?
(Please?) :o)
The people in this blog are the first to complain about the high taxes in this town - then think that several passes of the town when it comes to snow plowing will be acceptable. Plowing is a very expensive endeavor. The comment about the northeast and "lower midwest" areas having an easier time is lame at best. Of course it is easier to clear roads when it is below freezing for a day or two at a time! Different deal altogether when it is below freezing for several months.
4 inches of snow is NOT a snow emergency in ND...just an inconvenience where you need to slow down, be careful, HANG UP and drive. If we want emergency vehicles to go to calls safely, let's buy all the cops SUV's too...after all, its just money!
PS - I saw the two plow trucks the city has during a parade once...I think they are about 1970's vintage...most likely outdated.
what i've noticed with the older plow trucks with two people in them is they go around cleaning intersections, sidewalk openings and driveways. the passenger runs the wing plow.
What I notice is my taz dollars goin to waste. I do snow too so I was up early doin snow at 430. I drove my mcdonlads on washington and saw 4 city trucks 2 sanders and 2 plows there at 530. So yet you tell my they started at 5? why the hell do they need b-fast at 530? So after doing a couple jobs, i then take washington again to do some other jobs sotuh of town. This is at 6 by the way. @ out of the 4 trucks(sanders) were still there and yes im sure they were the same ones cuz they were pakred so F**Ked up. that my friends is my moeny at a waste and i was about to go in to that greasy place and tell those bass turds off.
A bass turd, yet!
Y'gotta love it...
Wonder what a baritone or a tenor turd would be like.
Whether it is going to remain below freezing for a week or for 3 months does not matter when it comes to half-way decently clearing a street after a storm. Some towns just make snow removal a priority and others don't.
The roads are all cleared off now so we can lay off the comments about the plow drivers... at least until the next storm.
"at least until the next storm."
Which is tomorrow morning. Better get another open thread up quick!
And it's a wet snow y'all will wake up to, too! You thought travel was a bugger last weekend?!
Be careful driving! Just take your time and be cautious.
Wow! What we worry about,I live in the area and I find Grand Forks
an ok place but bit unwelcoming,and many worries to just live here is way to many. My income is ok but I can't spend any money for christmas for my kids for the first time in years. I have a sick wife and have to by medicine over food in a lot of cases. I don't qualify for help from the goverment etc. Churches here judge
you by if you give them money and do not help. Or at least as I have one church that cared enough to help us. So love the time you have with the loved ones you have even if it means you can't provide baisc needs when you work hard to meet them. Grand forks needs a program that will help working folks with needs just out of there
reach. I wish this chirstmas an angel copuld help me get through this rough year I have had.
To anonymous at 8:53 am-
Have you applied to any social service programs? They have food stamps, medical assistance, and cash assistance program that could help. Unfortunately, even if you are severely struggling with making ends meet, or simply buying food you could be out of luck. If your income is "too high" in their books you may not get any help. I would still give them a call and see if there is anything they can do to help you out.
I believe they also have programs to help people give Christmas presents to their kids if you can't afford them.
I don't know if any of this will help, and maybe you already know all this, but I just wanted to let you know in case you didn't.
I wish you all the best!
call the Red River Valley Community Action Center and tell them your situation. They will help out.
It's OK to be a little obsessive about snow removal now because if we don't keep up with it, it builds on itself throughout the winter.
While it may appear to some that we're overreacting to the snow at the beginning of the season, by the time Jan/Feb roll around we'll be driving through tunnels.
I am moving to GF next month and am now getting a bit worried about this No-Plow vs Snow Plow thing. My itty bitty toyota tercel might get swallowed up! Perhaps I will look into EGF instead... ;-)
anonymous 8:53 ~
Yeah, this town isn't very welcoming to new comers. If you aren't affiliated to UND or have loads of cash in the bank you just stepped into a town that people will not care. I've been here since Nov. 2004 and still feel like an outsider. I also have noticed the same thing about the churches.
Good Luck to you and try the Red River Valley Community Action. The Community Action in northern MN is very helpful so hopefully this one is too.
Take Care!
I've lived here for over 7 years. Came here with basically no money and went to work instead of UND. I've always felt welcomed by this town, and can't imagine living anywhere else.
I think this community is very welcoming as long as you are the same in return.
WOW, how about a new thread!?!?!
could we get a thread dealingwith nickname suggestions?
Just to kick things off with the new snow storm....
I ventured out this morning to run a few errands and I got a good chuckle when the 2 or 3 inches of new snow on the ground was covered in sand! haha Every 10-15 feet you could tell where the sander layed down the sand.
God Bless this town!
I've lived here almost a year and a half and have felt very welcome. No complaints here, and really, people, the snow removal thing is pretty minor. It *did* eventually get removed.
With apologies to Larimore High School, how about North Dakota Ice Bears. That's what Polar Bears are called in the upcoming movie, Golden Compass. They're awesome warriors...
How about the "College where everyone goes to complain about something". I like it and who could complain about the truth??
It's what I am trying to say is no
action angecy or social service program or church is willing to help me or families with the same problems. I am feiendly and welcoming to all I come in contact with everyday, they just do not know of my situation. I work in the service industry and can't tell
customers my issues it would not sell products for my employer.
I wish we could start a program that could help families etc. without income guidlines. Why in the USA do you have to be on assistance for anyone to help.
TO CARE?
It's hard to understand TV shows like extreme makeover happens or is that a show made up?
Anon, are you for real?
If you are, here's my answer:
1) There are too many people in this country to just hand out money with no restrictions.
and 2) Too many people would take advantage of a system that had no income guidelines. They'd just use it as their personal credit card. If you don't believe me, just look at the credit situation most Americans are in.
And yeah, those reality shows are nothing but show. Sure, they help someone, but overall the people who produce them are interested in one thing only: money. Money via advertising dollars which are more abundant when a show has higher ratings (more people watching).
Unfortunately, most Americans are drawn to that pap for one reason or another, hence the ratings are high, hence the shows stay on the air. Forget their altruism - it doesn't exist.
and finally - go get a job! LM, Cirrus, Simplot, etc. start at $12/hr or more, plus benefits...spend your time on the internet looking for a job instead of panhandling, and maybe you will find someone willing to give you money...for an honest day's work!
Ok--first of all, what kind of help are you referring too? There are programs that have very flexible guideline and food pantry's that really don't have income limits--they look at your situation. Try St Vincent de Paul-even if they cannot help you--they will do their best to find out if someone/program can. Good Luck. Oh and obviously anonymous@4:43 didn't read that you are already working-and yes, there are jobs that would pay better, but every situation is different.
I've got to say, I was stuck at work all day, but when I left around 6, the roads were really manageable, considering the amount of snowfall.
Yay plows!
Does anybody have a recipe for Beef tips like Als restaurant makes?
Nobody can make them like Al's. Mmmmmm.....
What about that Crookston teacher making love to the the 14 year old boy? Crazy!
This why I love this blog! It's all doom and gloom and then someone asks for a beef tips recipe :)
Actually, Southgate makes them like Al's. Or should I say Al makes them like he did at Southgate. Not sure who created the recipe but Southgate is where the tips originated. And they are the same, so are the reds.
Anonymous said...
could we get a thread dealingwith nickname suggestions?
11:09 AM, December 04, 2007
I'm not sure what GrandForksGuy really wants to say about the nickname. If you do want to throw around ideas, I invite you all to post over at Campus Dakota in the nickname suggestion thread. You don't have to login or anything.
Should be interesting to see how the First Night crowd mingles with the downtown parade of drunks this year.
Al was the head chef of the Southgate in the years prior to his opening of Al's Restaurant, so I'm guessing that Southgate uses the same recipe that Al currently uses (although like to call it the "original" beef tips in GF).
Maybe the downtown "drunks" can liven up the miserable First Night families moving silently between the senior citizen accordian band and church organ recital.
One doesn't know whether to chuckle or cry.
Man! What is it about so many posters here? As if the current political scene isn't full enough of negative remarks, it sometimes seems like we're in competition in this blog to come up with more negativism.
At least the First Night people are making an attempt to put something for everyone together. How about a little credit, rather than simply spouting off?
Good grief.
One doesn't know whether to chuckle or cry.
Man! What is it about so many posters here? As if the current political scene isn't full enough of negative remarks, it sometimes seems like we're in competition in this blog to come up with more negativism.
At least the First Night people are making an attempt to put something for everyone together. How about a little credit, rather than simply spouting off?
Good grief.
First Night organizers have tried unsuccessfully for several years to come up with viable options that cross many ages and entertainment preferences. I don't know who to blame. The organizers for making poor choices? Us, for not attending? Don't know but would like to.
And by the way, if all we did was say how great things are, this would be a pretty boring blog. An open thread is just that...OPEN. If you have something positive to say, other than, "Be positive", please say it. If you have some thing relevant to say that happens to be negative, then say that.
I do work a full time 50+ hours per week making over $12.00 per hour as I said I make a fair salary
for my job and work long hours evenings, weekends, days. Then I go home and take care of my sick wife and do dishes,wash etc. With
rent,car ins,car payment,utilities,
meds. there is never enough to make ends meet.I am not panhandling
no one has given me a cent. I just
wish an angel would come my way and
help me out financially because medical bills alone are out of control let alone heating costs. I am tired of work work work and never seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Oh would guess your next thing would be get a second job and work more. I have been trying to make a sceond income doing massages and sell most of my belongings I can sell.(Coca-Cola Stuff) Massage in this area is weird every one wants it free but few are willing to pay for one.
When it comes to most social service places I make to much money or own a car.
I need an angel to help me get through a tough year that we have had.
My wife has had surgey and been ill most of the year she lost her
job and it hard for her to work currently. I lost my job this year
through no fault of my own the company I worked for was haveing financial problems (Like bouncing paychecks) Then It took me months
to replace my income so I did do job searching online and found my current job in this area, I had to
move here because the coumute would be around 200 miles per day to go to work. Meanwhile we lost our house due to income loss and
have not been able to keep up with cc bills and medical bills and thus we are at today where we can't find anyone (Even a bank) to help us move forward. The american dream sucks.
There has to be more folks out there in shoes like ours. What do they do?
Bad things do happen to good people. I am not panhandling but if you want to trow me your change I could maybe get a few extra things at Hugo's for dinner.
How much would you save a month if you nixed the internet?
Well maybe the teacher was teaching
how to have sex. It's some times
easier to learn by seeing and doing. When I was 14 I wish a teacher would have sown me the ropes like the teacher in crookston. Who's to say maybe they
are in love.
Give me a break, the cost of internet, That would help me pay the thousands of dollars in medical
bills insuranse will not cover, nice jab. you try it and let me know how it works out for you. Oh and by the how do you know I pay for the internet. Maybe I am using
free internet at the mall. you could to.
anonymous - I was in some pretty serious financial trouble a little ways back and found a book and system that really helped reduce debt and get things rolling much better for my family...google Dave Ramsey and his system, and you might have a little luck if you follow his system. It sounds like you have a rough time ahead, but keep your chin up and keep working hard. You don't necessarily need an angel, maybe you just need that focus and intensity to work it out for your family.
New post on my blog:
http://fargodev.blogspot.com/
If anonymous with the sick wife, etc. is willing to post his address and ages, gender, sizes of children, I would guess that that he might find some anonymous gifts at his door between now and Christmas. Let's make something positive from this opportunity. Medical bills can be overwhelming these days.
Yikes ! Anon post at 7:52 am. "Crookston teacher makes love to 14 year old boy". It should have read "Crookston female teacher "rapes" 14 year old boy.Why do these crimes get covered up ?
Thank you, Anon 10:12 pm. If it had been a male teacher and a 14-year-old girl, "rape" would be the most common description of the "relationship." With the roles reversed, it is somehow minimized or eroticized by too many people. Even if the boy did something to initiate or advance their relationship, the adult should have known better. Sexual abuse of all forms must be condemned, but when it involves adolescent boys with adults, it's somehow seen as a rite of passage. No wonder these crimes are so under-reported.
To those of you who think the guy with the ill wife and sky-high medical bills either isn't working hard enough or hasn't found been resourceful enough to access the right public services, his plight is exactly the sort of scenario that can be explained by the report that was publicized by our local United Way last month. I do recognize that some posters have offered some helpful hints to this gentleman, but his is just the type of family that falls through the economic cracks in our region. Those of us with enough money to buy our loved ones gifts this season should count our blessings (and contribute to charitable causes as we are able) -- most of us could end up in his situation with a couple strokes of bad luck.
My understanding is medical bills and situations like our friend is describing are the most common cause for bankruptcy filings--not frivilous credit card spending. Often people in that situation have to put life's necessities on credit cards because they can't afford both medical bills and the daily expenses. This is yet another example of how our healthcare system is failing our society and urgently needs reformed. Let's not only donate our change to the salvation army, but let's try to make some lasting progress and call our politicians and candidates. This is unacceptable.
Anon with the sick wife. Have you talked to your employer to see if there is anything they can do to help? Sometimes companies have funds set aside for things like this.
Also, I may not have a lot of extra cash this christmas, but I'm sure I could help out so you have some gifts to give the children for christmas. Just a thought. I would suggest creating a temporary hotmail account and posting it on the board, you may find out that Grand Forks is nicer than you think.
To the anon hoping for an angel:
I'm echoing what someone else has said; but if you would be willing to post more info on what you are looking for (outside of cash) for Christmas gifts, ages of kids or even what would make a special meal, you might be surprised how many people are willing to help.
We could set up a business location where items could be dropped off...
Sorry, but I can't help but be touched by the expressions of generosity you guys are showing the down and out guy. I may always have the nicest things to say about the area, but this is awesome.
I have to agree about the medical expenses. In the past 4 years my son has needed surgery 2x and the amount left for me to pay on his medical bills puts us in some very tight spots. I make 35K a year and pay 250 a month for my kids coverage, another 200 (my portion) for meds that are not covered by insurance and on top of that I am making 200 a month payments on the medical services from the past. Don't get me wrong--we are not starving by any means but things are sure tight since groceries and gas have gone up. Any discretionary income I had is now gone. I am just thankful I have the income to pay the expenses and always wonder what those that make $12 an hour do in these cases.
Just my rambling thoughts.
Contact Bremer Bank. They will set up a free checking/bank account for your children's benefit. I have done it for a 2 year old girl that was bitten by a dog and had 200 stitches. Media will take story and run with it, Walmart will make donation, etc. Contact WDAZ, would make a great Christmas story. greenglass4
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